Page 115 - VERITAS Vol.2 Issue 2

OCCUPATIONAL TOXICOLOGY

Veritas Volume: 2, Issue: 2, Pages:106-109
Ms. Shreya Katti

IN T R ODUC T ION
INTRODUCTION
Occupational toxicology is the study of adverse effects of chemical or phys-

ical agents that are encountered in the course of employment at particular

workplaces. Occupational toxicology is a class term used to refer to the ap-
plication of toxicology in all fields of work, ranging from a simple photocopy

machine in an office to pesticides in agriculture. The range of hazards in cer-

tain occupations is exposed to employees through mediums of inhalation,
dermal exposure, or even ingestion. Toxicology is intertwined with making

decisions on what levels of chemical exposure are acceptable to humans

on the field. The goal of occupational toxicology is to protect the health of
workers. The ever-growing recognition of workplace exposure has increased

public awareness of the health effects of toxic workplace exposure.

BR IE F ON IN T ER F A CIN G FIELDS
BRIEF ON INTERFACING FIELDS
Various other fields work hand-in-hand with occupational toxicology. Fields

like occupational health, medicine, and epidemiology interface with this

field to derive solutions to the multiple issues faced by workers.
• Occupational health is a field of public health that deals with promot-

ing and maintaining the highest degree of physical, mental, and social

well-being of workers in all occupations.

• Occupational medicine is a subject whose core revolves around the

prevention, diagnosis, and management of occupational diseases.

Such specific medical examinations involve pre-exposure examina-
tions and periodic examinations of workers.

Veritas Volume: 2, Issue: 2
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Veritas Volume: 2, Issue: 2